Session 4 - 2 Dec

Today, we explore the following items:-

1. Web 2.0 websites

- e.g. Ning, Flicker, Blogger, YouTube

2. Question:

- How to create a more learner-centred environment?

3. Journal article

on 'The Classroom Social Environment and Changes in Adolescents' Motivation and Engagement During Middle School' by Ryan, a. & Patrickk, H.

4. How to identify gaps after the administration and assessment of learning environment?

- Modified WIHIC used in a study on the effectiveness of Classroom Performance System (CPS) in improving student participation.

- 5 scales (Student Cohesiveness, Teacher Support, Involvement, Equity, Material support), Material support scale was added on due to the scope of the research.

- Scales need not be constrained by instruments used.

- Various instrument scales can be used to draft the questionnaire.

- Alpha reliability above 0.7 means that it is accurate.

- Statistics results will help to see if there is any improvement needed.- Assessment of LE is meant to improve the LE.

4. Improvement Process

- LE with problems in either overall dimensions or certain dimensions

- To conduct interview or to have focus group discussion

- Next, is to design the intervention plan & track the process

- If the LE is favorable then case is closed, if not the external agencies will be involved.

5. Question asked: Pre and Post versus Preferred and Actual Form in research

- achievement tests and attitude tests versus perception assessments.

6. SPSS using course mates' preferred and actual perceptions of the instructor.

- How to calculate Mean, Standard Deviation, Reliability (Cronbach's Alpha) and Paired-sample t-test.

Reflections:

The Web 2.0 has a richer content and interface for the user to interact with the ideas and concept in web pages. As a frequent Net surfer, I have come across some of these websites but have not really compared the technology used across various platforms. Dr Quek directed us to use the docs.google.com was a good move as we were given the opportunity to do PPT presentation online, which was different from the conventional way. As my group mates and I started exploring the functions in the docs.google.com, we were amazed at how 'powerful' the online platform can be. Dr Quek brought up the idea that students can do their projects anywhere as long as there is Internet access is very true!

Wee Chong asked a pertinent question on pre and post test versus preferred and actual perception results. As some of us have been actively doing school-based action research, most of the results that we have acquired are either achievement tests (pre and post) or attitude inventory tests, therefore, Wee Chong's question was very thought-provoking. His question has provided greater reexamination of what we have been researching in our schools and how we could have modified the research to suit our needs and obtain results that could lead to further improvements.

As we continued on to the next portion on what to do after the assessment tools have been administered, the key concept if checking the reliability results was explicitly pointed out. Subsequently, we started doing the WIHIC preferred and actual form and then compiled our results in a common Excel spreadsheet. There were some technical problems in copying and pasting from Excel to SPSS and we spent quite alot of time trying to figure the whole thing. The testing for reliability for each scale is a tedious and time-consuming task. As a results I had tried so hard to troubleshoot the Excel data formula and SPSS that I did not pay much attention to the assignment coming up on Thursday. I ONLY know that each table only has three different rows for each scale for Mean, Standard Deviation and Reliability and paired-T-Test.